Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

We made our traditional Saturday after Thanksgiving trip to the Scott Antique show at the Expo Center today. This year it was really crowded and really hot so we didn't stay long and we didn't buy anything. I had also made an appointment to take the Vue into the dealer so that is where we spent the majority of the afternoon. As I mentioned in yesterday's post the transmission on the Vue blew while we were on 71 driving home from Andrew's mom and dad's. Turns out the 2002-2005 Vue's have a VTI transmission with an extremely high failure rate that has been documented. There is currently a class action lawsuit in progress on behalf of the owners who paid out to replace the faulty transmissions. All unbeknownst to us until yesterday. While at the dealer we learned that in 2006 they replaced the VTI's. Long story made short rather than spending $4K on a transmission repair we traded the car. Our new one, also a Saturn Vue but a 2006 model, has a Honda engine, leather interior, and heated seats along with a 100.000 mile power train warranty!! They basically paid half the $4K with the deal we got. We have been pleased with our Saturn dealer; this is our fourth purchase. Although I am not pleased about the transmission situation I feel like the deal we arrived upon was much more productive than getting involved in a lawsuit, being all frustrated, and turning the process into a long drawn out drama.

James and Elisha

We had Thanksgiving in Huron today. More yummy food and visiting around the fireplace. Our nephew James, who is 5, loves to see Elisha and Daisy and be with the family. Here is their annual photo and also one of Daisy begging James for a belly scratch for which he happily complies. On the way home the transmission in the Vue basically blew up. That will be a costly repair. Oh well guess that is our holiday surprise for this year.

Spunky and Woodstock

Elisha brought her Red Ear Slider Turtles along with her this week since no one was going to be home to feed them at her house. They are entertaining little guys. I can remember once going to Grant's variety store in Miamisburg getting turtles like these when we were in about 7 or 8 years old. In 1975 a prevention law was enacted to reduce the spread of salmonella by prohibiting the sale of turtles with shells less than 4" long, unless for scientific or educational purposes. After that we never saw the turtles being sold at Grant's anymore. Mom told us it was because they spread disease. Anyway I thought they were still illegal but apparently the laws vary in different areas of the United States and Elisha told me when she bought them last June that store (in SC) that sold them to her said they were legal to sell. I was pleased that she was responsible enough to inquire. Since she takes good care of them and is old enough to know to keep her fingers out of her mouth when handling them and wash her hands after handling them I don't see a problem. In the photo above Daisy is uninterested because she has seen turtles many times before and this is yet another animal in the house to steal attention away from her. Happy Thanksgiving.

Funky Cap

I sorted a skein of the funky yarn that I bought from Stonehedge into different colors and knitted up this hat (modeled here by Elisha). I'm donating it to our holiday auction at school which staff puts on every year to raise funds to help those in need in the community. The accent stripes are fawn angora from Evan Almighty.

More Show Photos

It's always nice when someone else is behind the camera and sends me some photos (thank you Penny and Lisa). These are of me, Lisa, and Kathy waiting patiently (or not) to show our rabbits; of Martin peeking over the table in a moment when the judges back is turned (Andrew has captioned this one-Psst mom -the judge really likes me); and of the judge giving Evan Almighty the once over before awarding him Best of Breed; and of me (holding Evander) with Judge Terry and Lisa's Best Opposite of Breed doe.

Big Day at the Rabbit Show

Just got back from a double show in Lancaster. The weather was decent and the show was crowded and it lasted all day. Most of the angora breeders hung around outside visiting and grooming and that was a lot of fun. French Angoras didn't begin Show A until after 3 pm. Lilac Haven won Best of Breed with Evan Almighty and Best Opposite of Variety with Vesper. Martin won Best of Variety white. I'm pictured above posing with Judge Julie. Show B started almost as soon as Show A concluded. Evander won Best of Breed in that show with Judge Terry and Martin again won Best of Variety white. A bunch of us went to Red Lobster after the show. We were starving.

Chuckie the Christmas Elf

I got Chuckie (not his real name) out for another Christmas season today. He's been around since 1957; 0wned by first by my grandma and now by me. Made by Union Products of Massachusetts, whose claim to fame was the pink plastic flamingo, they went out of business in 2006. One antique dealer on the web posted the following description for the plastic elf: "lighted with original cord and fancy bulb, this Christmas Elf stands proudly at 22" and holds his lantern to see through the night. Elf's head is spring loaded, and arms are adjustable. Undoubtedly never outdoors, all original colors are bright with no fading. Outdoor ornaments are rarely ever found in this condition." Over the years I seen a few of these at flea markets and antique shops (most of them faded and chipped) but what I have never seen is the dozen or so candy canes that come with him. The candy canes are meant to be placed intervals apart in the yard and they have hooks on them that hold a string of lights. Not surprising-grandma took good care of her belongings. I never put him on the lawn though for fear someone would snatch him or that he would freeze and get blown over and shatter. A shame as he would look a far cry better than all those darn blow up plastic contraptions that people put in their yards these days.

Santa's Workshop

Andrew (aka Santa) finished the last of the shawl pins last night. He had to take a temporary leave of absence from the dust in the garage to get over a persistent cold. Anyway here they are: 1st row beech and cedar, 2nd row mulberry and walnut, 3rd row chestnut and cedar, 4th row maple and beech. In the middle of construction he discovered that our maple tree contained spalded wood. A real find in the wood working world. Not sure yet what he will make from it but as you can see it is beautiful.

Funky Yarn

Just in time for our nightly walk the sky opened up and began to pour down snow. The ground was covered before I could get all my outerwear on. It was pretty but its seems too early for snow. I really didn't feel like walking anyway because I got a package in the mail from Stonehedge and I wanted to go home and drool over the yarn it contained. It's made from a conglomeration of left overs. I bought it to make a funky shawl but am thinking I may have to do hats instead. I finished the purple shawl. In December I will post a picture of Elisha modeling it and her matching hat (which I still have to make).

Sunrise Today

Andrew called me from the bathroom this morning while I was getting ready for work to look at the sunrise. I went outside with wet hair and a robe on to get this photo but it was worth it. I love the clouds! The intense color that you see only lasted about a minute and then the day went downhill after that....

A Whole Lot o Weaving Goin On

I have moved my loom to the living room so that I can watch tv and weave at the same time. I have several projects I need to get done before Christmas. Right now I am making a shawl for my stepdaughter who is 16. She will be getting one of the shawl pins that Andrew made from the maple wood he salvaged from a tree in our backyard. Sadly we had to cut it down because it was in ill health. We used to have a swing hanging from its branches. I am also making her a matching hat and it will have some angora stripes of some sort too. She tried on my orange candy corn hat the last time she was her and it looked adorable on her. Anyway I got some really pretty purple yarn this summer when we visited Stonehedge. It has flecks of some other colors in it that you can see in the right light. All the rabbits got groomed and except for the pregnant does also got Ivomeced tonight. The Ivomec is just routine; I give it to them a couple times a year to ward off mites although I have never see any on my French or Satin. The sunset here was beautiful tonight. It was pink and purple. Guess Mother Nature is making up for this morning's snow and ice deposit on my car.

Kirk's Model Railroad

Our friend Kirk's model railroad made it's debut at the Maple Grove U.M. train show yesterday. A work still in progress, he has been assembling it throughout the summer in preparation for the show and time and finances would allow. A native Minnesotan, he plans to finish his railroad layout with items related to the Duluth, MN and Mesabi Iron Range. A lot of the HO pieces and parts making up his current setup are items he had as a kid. A neat show for those interested in railroad and memorabilia.

Quantum of Solace

Andrew, Bob, our British friend Virgina, and I have planned since summer to see the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, on its opening weekend. A must see movie for Bond fans which has James finding a bit of relief for his grief in the form of revenge in regard to the death of the love of his life, Vesper Lynd, who was introduced in Casino Royale. And he now knows that Vesper really loved him too-something he has questioned since she betrayed him in the ending of CR. Horrible theme song though-bring your ear plugs for that part. Can't hold a candle to Chris Connell's You Know My Name. It was especially nasty outside in the form of really cold and damp with rain turning to snow. A perfect day to sit inside and see a movie. The theater was surprisingly empty-probably due to the timing since we went right as the OSU game was starting.

Flip Video

Ok most of you probably know that I am not into gadgets. We don't even have cable tv. But the other day a friend of mine showed me a truly exciting gadget and I am quickly becoming a fan. It's called Flip Video. It's a small (a little bigger than a deck of cards) digital video camera that has great resolution and is affordable -starting at $149. The best part about it is that it takes very little computer knowledge to transfer the video to your computer and comes with software built into it in order to load the clips onto a Mac or PC. You just flip (hence the name) out a USB that is attached to the camera, connect it to your computer and transfer the video to your hard drive and if you wish quickly upload it to your You Tube account. I've been looking for a user friendly digital video at work for our faculty and students to use in a variety of situations ranging from athletic training gait analysis, to taping lectures to put on line and for student teachers to self reflect on their teaching style. Personally I think it would also be a fun little gadget to have at family gatherings and outings with friends as well. I'm attaching a video clip of my favorite subject so you can all see the quality.

First Love

Our little friend Greyson celebrated his 3rd birthday yesterday. He just loves The Little Mermaid so we bought him an Ariel doll for his birthday. As you can see he is quite enamoured with her. And yes she is wearing clothes...

Persimmons

I read a short article today in this months Prevention magazine about the health benefits of persimmons which reminded me that I had recently photographed a persimmon tree and gathered some fruits in order to acquire the seed and possibly start a tree of my own in our backyard. According to Alice Vitale in the book (one of my favorites) Leaves in Myth, Magic and Medicine, the fruits are high in potassium and vitamin C. I have always been enamored with the persimmon because they are so hard to come by and taste so good. The wild variety is only palatable after it has been exposed to a frost in the fall. And shortly thereafter they all disappear into the mouths of the raccoons and any other wildlife that can get to them. The wood from the persimmon tree, which is in the ebony family, has a beautiful grain when finished. It also has the highest density of any wood in Ohio making it an excellent wood for mallets and golf clubs which is what it was used for back in the day.

Beech Pin

Here is the first completed shawl pin. It's from a beech log that my brother salvaged from who knows where. As you can see the wood has beautiful grain. Andrew is currently in his "man cave" aka the garage turning some more pins. Each pin has a unique shape to its top. You can wear the pin with the oval or just the pin. They both look nice.

Making Wooden Shawl Pins

As promised I have some photos of the shawl pin making operation. Andrew started with a pile of assorted types of wood that he has accumulated over time. He chose Red Maple, Cedar, Chestnut, Beech, Walnut and Mulberry because of the beautiful wood grain that you will be able to see in the finished piece. He then rough cut and planed the wood into usable lumber. I asked for oval shaped rings for the pins to fit through so he then cut ovals. After he did the rough cutting and shaping on them I did the fine sanding and applied tung oil to protect the wood and make it shine. Now he is working on the actual pin to hold the rings in place. This is done on a lathe and takes a bit of concentration. In another day or so you will be able to see the finished pieces. I'm keeping one of each kind of wood for myself and others we will use for gifts.

A Productive Day

We got up early this morning with the intention of heading out to a wood carving show. That didn't happen. Andrew decided he wanted to do some woodworking himself (stayed tuned-hopefully later in the week I will have photos of this project) and I got a burr about how dusty the house was and the rest is history. We moved every piece of furniture in this place and vacuumed and dusted every square inch. I washed all the bedding-spread, skirt and all. I threw all the bed pillows out and rooted through and set aside for camping all our old towels and then I went to Kohl's and bought new. Luckily everything was on sale for 60 % off and I also had a 20% off coupon. What a deal and the coupon is good until the end of next week so I will be going back later for more goodies. The bed pillows had to go because my allergies are at their worst and I wanted to get rid of anything that could be contributing. After that adventure I started on the rabbitry. Everyone got their cage cleaned and their little selves groomed. In all of this I had to take a couple photos of Indiana Jones because he just looks spectacular and I can hardly contain my excitement at what a nice herd sire he is going to be. He is out of Pixie and Evander and he has her sweet personality. Everyone else was happy to be held and groomed and they each got a leaf of kale as a treat afterward. What was Daisy doing today you may ask-well mostly sleeping on the couch. She got a fresh bag of Eukies and a greenie which she woofed down probably without even tasting it. And as a final note Otterbein Football lost to Mount Union this afternoon-drat-I was really hoping for a win but of course Mount Union has been undefeated for years but still it was a nice dream... Women's soccer has won the OAC tournament (whowah)and now advances to the NCAA tournament. Those gals are kicking butt and taking names. Cross your fingers. I would love to see them go all the way to number 1. They are a good group with a great coach.

Voyagers Toque

My husband and I are avid canoeists and he wanted an authentic toque such as the Canadian voyagers wore. After doing some research and obtaining a Tully's book (through OC interlibrary loan) containing the pattern I was able to knit him one. In the photos above he is wearing it in two different way. An adaptation of this pattern is what I used for all my hats. There are a lot of patterns for hats that are called toques but there is only one "real" toque.

The following is an excerpt from a website I found: Toques make excellent cool or cold weather caps. There are many styles and methods of wearing these hats, and we refer you to the Voyager’s Sketchbook by James A. Hanson for more references on ways to wear the toque and on other types of hats worn by the French. Two styles of toques are noted in journal accounts: the single and the double cap. A single toque resembles a simple modern stocking cap, while the double toque resembles a deflated football with one end stuffed into the other to form a double layer. Depending upon how deep you stuff one end into the other, it is possible to adjust the “drop” or “bag” of the double toque… The distinct fashion statement of the toque was the “bag” of the cap, which is the leftover portion that hangs from the head.



Some styles of wearing the toque, often shown in period sketches and paintings
A pattern for knitting this correct style of toque is available in Mark Tully’s “The Packet II” (M. Tully 2000 The Packet II – Being Another Collection of Patterns, Articles and Essays of Particular Interest to the 18th-Century Re-Enactor. Ballindalloch Press. Baraboo, WI).

Duluth Pack sells a toque that comes in several different colors. It is pictured below in red.

The Legend of the White Buffalo

My aunt in Colorado is the bookkeeper for a gentleman and his wife who have several businesses including a wild game ranch where they raise white buffalo. When we were out there this summer Janet brought me a large bag of their wool. I washed, spun and knitted it into a scarf. It has a bit of a course texture but is lovely wool. The native Americans revered the white buffalo. I found this website which tells the story. The animals themselves are quite an imposing sight-its no wonder the native Americans were in awe of them.

A Day in the Country

I had a wonderful day in Eastern Ohio visiting my friend Lisa. (She's sporting a fashionable purple cast on her arm now- a result of our disastrous visit last weekend). Anyway we went to lunch, talked rabbits, rambled about her farm and visited with Tank-her Great Pyrenees. It was another beautiful fall day. Photos (taken with my cell phone-blah) of Lisa's sheep and Phazana and Cameroon. I just ordered a new camera that I can carry around in my pocket for such occasions. It's a Nikon S50.

Andrew went to Prairie Oaks for a paddle down Big Darby Creek with his co-worker and friend Mac. They were looking for dragonfly larvae and silver side minnows. They had a great time too.

An Antique Yarn Winder

I recently was given an antique yarn winder. My friend Jane, who owned it, told me the nursery rhyme "Pop Goes the Weasel" was written about the noise that the winder makes while in use. I did a web search and came up with several different theories on the song's origin. I also found this-" It refers to the noise made by a yarn winder, which is an accessory to a spinning wheel. Children turned the winder,sang the little ditty, while momma operated the wheel. A worm gear moved a thin piece of wood as the winder turned and "poped" when a mesured length of yarn was accumulated on the winder." I thought it was interesting. My winder needs a couple minor repairs and then I plan to put it to good use. There is not a whole lot going on around here today. I plucked a couple rabbits and Andrew worked in the yard. It a beautiful day outside. Guess we are going to have an Indian Summer after all.